Refocused thread on the CotW programme:
-
It isn't given us to know those rare moments when people are wide open and the lightest touch can wither or heal. A moment too late and we can never reach them any more in this world. -
The greatest musical theatre composer ever is Composer of the week and no thread . It's fascinating and eye opening to listen.His output was phenomenal"Perfection is not attainable,but if we chase perfection we can catch excellence"-
In an effort to get back on topic I would say In the case of Richard Rodgers they are pretty much the same thing.When boiled down to its essential elements there’s little difference between Carousel , The Magic Flute and Fidelio. The links between Puccini and musical theatre are particularly strong with so much of what he did “borrowed “ by Broadway and the West End.Originally posted by Sospiri View Post
-
Thanks for drawing this to my attention. He took every problem of word-setting or world-building on its own terms. You can’t pick out his tricks and devices like with Sondheim or Menken. In his career trajectory, it’s uncommon that he kept going and going with popular successes: The Sound of Music came almost at the end of his career, but it feels much more ‘Heroic period’ than ‘Late masterwork’. But I’d also like to know what kind of a composer he might have been if he was allowed more weirdness.Last edited by adventsnore; 17-09-25, 06:51.Comment
-
'weirdness' fits that post .A composer , musical theatre genius damned with 'faint praise 'Last edited by Sospiri; 17-09-25, 07:13."Perfection is not attainable,but if we chase perfection we can catch excellence"Comment
-
In the absence of a dedicated thread, the quality of his output is currently a major topic in a thread discussing the question of whether pop music merits serious discussion and analysis. An hour of pure pleasure between 4.00 and 5.00 p.m. every weekday this week - the first time I've listened to CoTW since it was moved to its new slot.Comment
-
Surely Sam Jackson should look at having a musical theatre regular series back on R3.The genre is extremely popular now and we haven't had anything since Stage & Screen some 15-20 years ago. Problem is Jackson interviews have indicated it's only a classical music focus channel now ..even though that seems to change when it comes to programming the PromsLast edited by Sospiri; 18-09-25, 03:37."Perfection is not attainable,but if we chase perfection we can catch excellence"Comment
-
It's not just classical music these days - there's also jazz, 'crossover' artists and various manifestations of world music. In the good old days, the Light Programme/Radio 2 was the usual place to find musical theatre, but nowadays it's out in the cold. Perhaps this week's CotW will encourage people to ask for more on Radio 3 (I can't see the Controller of Radio 2 finding any space for it).Originally posted by Sospiri View PostComment
-
Musical theatre - Rodgers , Kern , Gershwin crops up regularly in song form on Essential Classics and In Tune and COTW regularly features musical composers not to mention FNIMN . I don’t think we’ve starved of the Great American Songbook .Originally posted by LMcD View Post
Where I think it goes wrong is that the producers focus too much on a small group of performers. It’s virtually always Ella or this week on COTW Dawn Upshaw who has a nice voice but isn’t really a Broadway singer. They’ve pretty much played everything she’s recorded . No Gordon MaCrae , no Enzo Pinza - none of the greats who created the roles but we did get Jose Carreras ……and Frederica Von Stade who in my view just can’t really sing this stuff at all. Now Mozart that’s a different matter.Comment
-
I agree about the selection of singers this week on COTW..Most are from the operatic sceneOriginally posted by Ein Heldenleben View Post
"Perfection is not attainable,but if we chase perfection we can catch excellence"Comment
-
Fair comment! Perhaps MacRae and Jones are thought to be too 'downmarket' for Radio 3.Originally posted by Ein Heldenleben View PostComment
-
https://youtu.be/gGIoy6cL08E?si=7ydlGq9U-0qhTTdu found this today. It's been up for 4 years on YouTube BBC Proms 2010 with the great champion of musical theatre John Wilson"Perfection is not attainable,but if we chase perfection we can catch excellence"Comment
-
Big day today Oklahoma and Carousel , State Fair , South Pacific
Our own Graham Bickley with Oh What A …,a real West End trouper.
Renée Fleming who started nightclub then opera and can do anything with that voice as Nettie in Carousel
Great pairing for Carousel If I Loved You Joshua Henry and Jessie Mueller
Carreras does Some Enchanted - weird as he’s a tenor not a bass but I’ve got this recording and I’m quite in favour.
And Kelli O’Hara topping the bill as Nellie Forbush - current Broadway Royalty.
Frankly they could keep this episode going to midnight and I wouldn’t complain.
So many great singers have recorded these classics how do you choose ?Comment
-
Is the end of Act One Carousel the absolute summit of American Musical Theatre ? It’s so well done the integration of speech and that glorious tune. Beautifully sung.
Comment
-
Comment